Mumbai, Dec 13 (NationPress) Renowned actor Jackie Shroff took a moment on Saturday to sincerely commemorate the late actress Smita Patil on the occasion of her 39th death anniversary, offering a touching tribute to one of the most esteemed figures in Indian cinema.

In a heartfelt Instagram story, Jackie shared a nostalgic black-and-white photograph of Smita Patil, captioning it, “Remembering Smita Patil ji on her death anniversary. Always in our hearts.”

Accompanying the post was the enchanting melody of Lata Mangeshkar’s song “Shaam Hui” from the 1985 movie Aakhir Kyon?

Smita Patil was celebrated for her groundbreaking roles that highlighted the strength and independence of women, featuring in more than 80 films throughout her decade-long career. She was honored with two National Film Awards and received the Padma Shri in 1985.

Her cinematic journey began with Shyam Benegal’s Charandas Chor, eventually establishing her as a leading figure in parallel cinema—a New Wave movement in Indian film—while also participating in several mainstream productions.

Among her most distinguished works are Manthan, Bhumika, Jait Re Jait, Aakrosh, Chakra, Namak Halaal, Bazaar, Umbartha, Shakti, Arth, Ardh Satya, Mandi, Aaj Ki Awaaz, Chidambaram, Mirch Masala, Amrit, Dance Dance, and Waaris.

She was married to actor Raj Babbar, with whom she had a son, Prateik Smita Patil. Tragically, she passed away on December 13, 1986, at just 31 years old due to complications during childbirth. Remarkably, more than ten of her films were released posthumously.

Her last appearance was in Galiyon Ka Badshah, released in 1990, featuring stars like Raaj Kumar, Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Poonam Dhillon, and several others.

On a different note, Jackie Shroff is set to appear in Ahmed Khan’s upcoming comedy film titled Welcome To The Jungle, featuring an impressive ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, and many more.